Up Front
This edition of The Motivator provides a close look into clinical trials,
with an emphasis on the
challenges MS
presents. This issue also includes suggestions for reducing stress during the
holidays, and offers various strategies for coping with change or loss at a
time when others are feeling joyous and festive.
The importance of clinical trials is absolutely proven. All of us in the MS community
are bonded together to help people with this disease live life to the fullest.
Performing clinical trials is the only way to scientifically prove the efficacy
of a treatment, and to assess its merits or deficiencies in various applications,
by using the hard empirical data that these provide.
MSAA is committed to investigating the safety, and if warranted, the effectiveness of various alternative therapies. In recent years, we have sponsored research into cooling therapies, electromagnetic therapy, acupuncture therapy, and bee venom injections. Without willing volunteers to participate in such studies, no progress could ever be made regarding the safety, value, or optimal exposure (or dose) of these alternative therapies.
This would indeed be tragic, if individuals were missing out on treatments that could help them to lead a more comfortable life. Even more tragic is the thought of individuals using alternative therapies that have not yet been studied for safety or efficacy, and may hold the potential to actually worsen one’s health.
I want to take this opportunity to thank and congratulate anyone who has ever offered to participate in a clinical trial. The humanitarian efforts of such individuals allow others to benefit from the scientific knowledge gained through these efforts. Clinical trials would not be possible without volunteers who give of themselves in an effort to find better treatments for MS.
Switching to the topic of our second feature article, the holiday season can bring much joy and happiness, although this may not be true for everyone. Some individuals may be experiencing a loss – perhaps in terms of health, finances, or a loved one. For these people, the holidays can serve to heighten feelings of depression and loneliness.
For someone who is unable to meet the physical, emotional, or financial demands of the holiday season, this can be a time of great stress. Planning ahead, setting realistic expectations, and finding ways to lift your spirits – as well as focusing on the spiritual meaning of the season – can make a big difference. Additionally, studies have shown that reducing depression and stress may boost your immune system and improve your health, and that is something we can all use!
Faith in ourselves and in others can sometimes be challenged with the coming holiday season. People under stress may unintentionally transfer their frustrations to their relationships with others. Remembering to be thoughtful of others can help us to avoid hurting those around us.
Last year, on September 12th, we felt the same sadness and anguish as the day before, yet a transformation had already begun to take hold. In our national grief and compassion for those who lost loved ones, there was a renewed sense of connected-ness taking place with our families and neighbors. We were united in our grief, and a collective spirit of caring was clearly taking hold.
Our reaction to the crisis in September 2001 was akin to the reflection we often feel at Thanksgiving, when we take the time to appreciate what we have, and when random acts of kindness to strangers are the norm, as we reach out to others who are perhaps less fortunate. In that spirit of caring, let us open ourselves up to self-renewal and make an effort to simplify our lifestyles and offer our compassion to others. By doing so, we can make our actions toward others consistent with our most heartfelt values. Together we can make good things happen!